About 325 million people live in the United States. A government group called the Census Bureau keeps track of them. It released a report on Thursday. According to the Census data, the U.S. population is getting older and becoming more diverse.
The Census studied the races of people in America. That included seven groups. The report found that the population of nearly every group increased from 2016 to 2017.
“Asians were the fastest-growing racial group in the nation,” said the report. Much of that growth is due to people moving to the United States. There are now more than 22 million Asians in America. More of them live in California than any other state.
The Hispanic and black populations increased as well. There are now about 59 million Hispanic people and 47 million black people across the United States. The only group in the study with a decrease in population was white people. However, it remains the most common race with about 198 million people.
The U.S. population has also become older. The Census reported that “the nation experienced a median age increase.” That age rose “from 37.2 years to 38.0 years from 2010 to 2017.” This means half the population is younger than 38, and half the population is older.
The Census gave reasons why America is aging. From the late 1940s through the 1950s, the U.S. birth rate was very high. Many soldiers came home from World War II and started families. Now that generation, known as the “baby boomers,” is getting older. This large group has driven up America’s median age.
Meanwhile, the U.S. birth rate has gone down in recent years. More adults today are waiting longer to have babies. Many are having fewer children as well. This low birth rate has also caused America’s population to become older.
The Census Bureau will continue to study the U.S. population. In 2020, the group will complete America’s 24th Census. That detailed report comes out every 10 years. It may show an even older and more diverse America.
Updated June 22, 2018, 5:02 P.M. (ET)
By Mathis Bauchner
